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The 193rd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Section 5: Inspection and appraisal of real estate securing a loan

Section 5. (a) A bank shall inspect the real estate securing a loan in the event that a payment of interest or principal upon the loan or on account of real estate taxes upon the parcel mortgaged to secure the same shall be in default. Any such inspection shall be made in a manner consistent with and not later than the time periods specified in the policy of the bank. Periodic inspection of the parcel mortgaged shall continue in accordance with the policy until the loan is no longer in default.

(b) The commissioner may cause an appraisal of real estate to be made at the expense of the bank whenever the commissioner considers an excessive loan has been made or is about to be made upon real estate.

(c) A bank shall not directly or indirectly, make a loan or discount on the security of the shares of its own capital or on the security of the shares of capital of any company, 50 per cent or more of the assets of which consists of capital of the corporation, unless the security shall be necessary to prevent loss upon a debt previously contracted in good faith. An officer or employee of a bank who knowingly violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.